Safety And Health Foundation

^{20½th annual} ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Start times
8:00 AM FULL Marathon

9:00 AM HALF Marathon

In memory of Dean Shulman
(September 25, 1961 - May 8, 2012)
Washington Post obituary
In memory of Dean, from The Book of Jewish Common Prayer

and

Wendy Martinez (1983-2018)

Preview the status of entries and see your bib number in advance
Enter on-line for the races
or pre-race dinner at 6:30 PM at Bronx Pizza
or Red Top taxi rides at 7:00 from Crystal City Marriott

Express Registration (No password required)

• Enter by mail (PDF) • | • DOC •

Our star athlete on Saturday is Michelle Johnston of Ohio

Michelle's athletic resume

-College history:
-PharmD Candidate, graduating 2023
-Competed on the University of Cincinnati rowing team from 2018-2020; won the 4+ lightweight women's national rowing championship in 2019
-Started marathon running in 2018 and have run Flying Pig Marathon 2 times, Columbus Marathon, Boston Marathon, and a 50K ultra marathon
-Finished 3rd in my age group for the 2021 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

-High school history:
-Finished 6th place in the 4x800m relay at the OHSAA Track and Field State Championship in 2016
-Placed 1st for females in the Spring into Health 5k, 1st in age group for the Stony Lake Sparkler 5k
-Athlete of the week: Athlete of the Week: Michelle Johnston, Alter High School

On the historic C&O Canal Towpath
Start & finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC

The Easiest Marathon in America -- Flat course, no road crossings, no turns

www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon/index2.php

Open to

Runners of all levels of ability who can cover the marathon course in less than 6 hours
No time limit in the half marathon
Limited to the first 350 entrants
Join our Facebook page -- share rides, thoughts, and photos!

Questions? Write the race director

Registration Medal

We accept the first 350 entrants
Entry fees:
$50 on or after October 1, 2022
$60 on or after January 1, 2023
$70 on or after March 1, 2023
$80 on or after May 1, 2023
$90 on or after July 1, 2023
$100 on or after September 1, 2023, if space remains
Members of 50 States Club and other supporting organizations and get $10 off
No race-day registration, please
Entrants receive t-shirt, goodie bag, race refreshments, finisher medal, and post-race picnic
We send Boston Athletic Association our certified marathon times

Benefits

Safety And Health Foundation and its charity partners:
Buy A Brick Foundation
DC Capital Striders
Marathon Charity Co-operation
Wendy Martinez Legacy Project

On October 2, 2021, Safety And Health Foundation donated $650.00 to Wendy Martinez Legacy Project and $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation
On August 22, 2019, Safety And Health Foundation donated $2000.00 to Wendy Martinez Legacy Project
On Facebook’s Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2019, we donated $4,000.00 to Buy A Brick Foundation, matched by another donor, and Facebook matched our $8000 for a total of $16,000, a fortune in Zimbabwe
We invite you to donate to those charities
When you register, you may include a separate check in donation to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
On November 14, 2015, we donated a total of $200 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
We gratefully acknowledge donations from Silvia Baage, Ryan Mark Elliott, Sean M. Hendron, Angelica R. Hendron, Robert Elghie Johnson, Deborah Jorgensen, Tammy Jeanne Massie, and Dennis James Weipert
On October 14, 2014, we donated a total of $100 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
We gratefully acknowledge donations from Timothy Buckley, Pam Cogas, Jonathan Raymond Terrell, and Gena Feith
On November 17, 2013, we donated a total of $100 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
We gratefully acknowledge donations from Heather Lengel, Silvia Baage, and Mary McDonald
On November 17, 2013, we donated $1000 to Philippine Red Cross (address: Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, PO Box 280, Manila PHILIPPINES 1018; phone: +011-63-527-0000, hotline 143; web page: www.redcross.org.ph to support relief efforts after Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) destroyed Visayas Islands, Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, Panay, Busuanga Island, Samar Island, and Leyte, where at least 10,000 people are estimated to have died in the city of Tacloban

Course

Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
The course is 100% unpaved gravel except for about 50 meters across a wooden footbridge and about 50 meters of concrete at Lock 5 and under I-495 to prevent erosion
No roads, no crossings, no hills

2023 Boston Marathon Qualifier

Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
USATF certified course DC09005RT | Certificate | Color Map | B&W Map | DOC | PDF | GMAP

Course elevation profile: -------------------------------

Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
Read about the history of the C&O Canal Towpath:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal
www.bikewashington.org/canal
www.onthecanal.org
www.nps.gov/choh
www.bikecando.com
www.patc.us/store/XX250.htm

Keepers

Goodie bag with samples, coupons & gift certificates
Colorful t-shirt
This year's t-shirt: (to follow)
T-shirts:
October 2021 front | Back
October 2020 front | PSD
October 2019 shirt | PSD | Back
September 2018 shirt | PSD | Back | PSD
October 2017 shirt | Back | PDF | PSDk
November 2016 shirt | Back
November 2015 shirt | Back
November 2014 shirt front | PDF (19 mB) | back
November 2013 shirt | Front | Back | PSD
November 2012 shirt | Back

Awards

$250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F in the 8:00 AM full marathon -- ALL MARATHONERS must start at 8:00 AM
Gift certificates and other awards including SHF warm wooly winter hats and sweathshirts to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-groups M/F in all four races
This race is the third of Safety And Health Foundation's 2021 Grand Prix
$100 cash award to everyone who finishes all 3 of SHF's full or half marathons in 2021

Directions

Fletcher's Cove is two miles due west of Key Bridge and one mile east of Chain Bridge at 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
From Georgetown, take M Street NW west past Key Bridge
At Foxhall Road, M Street NW becomes Canal Road NW
Stay left on Canal Road NW
The old stone wall continues from Key Bridge to Fletcher's Cove
After two miles, you see the stoplight for Reservoir Road NW at the gap in the old stone wall
CAREFULLY turn left into the driveway down to free parking for 85 cars in the upper parking lot
When the upper lot is full, bear right at the bottom of the driveway into the tunnel under C&O Canal Towpath
At the end of the tunnel, bear left to free parking for 200 card in the lower parking lot
If both parking lots are full, we post a marshal on Canal Road NW at Reservoir Road NW to instruct drivers to turn RIGHT up Reservoir Road NW to free parking on-street and at The River School
Please approach Fletcher's Cove from the east using M Street NW and Canal Road NW from Georgetown
Make a left at the stoplight at Reservoir Road to go down the ramp to Fletcher's Cove
Please DO NOT approach Fletcher's Cove from the west from Clara Barton Parkway and Chain Bridge onto Canal Road NW
From Canal Road eastbound, making the hairpin turn to go down the ramp to Fletcher's Cove is almost impossible
Parking

We have about 300 free parking spaces
Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share a ride.

Drop-off instructions
- Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove
- If you can get someone to drop you off, or if you take a cab or Uber / Lyft, please ask the driver to drop you off at the top of the driveway
- Don't go down the driveway and try to turn around, because we want to avoid traffic jams

Logistics

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS: All food and water handlers will be gloved and masked
Please stay masked yourself until you start running.
Stay a safe distance from unfamiliar people
No high-fives or hand-shaking
Dispose of your empty paper cups in the trash bags around each aid station -- let's not have volunteers cleaning up after you
If you are sick, coughing, feverish, sneezing, please defer to a future race -- there's always another race, but there's never another you
Assisted by
Gib Leonard, TeamAfrica.com, Buy A Brick Foundation
DC Capital Striders
Marathon Charity Cooperation

Packet Pick-ups

Packet Assembly:
Early birds: Help us assemble bib numbers and goodie bags, and get your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag early on Thursday, September 5, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute, 2804 Hartland Drive #401, Falls Church VA (702-205-1233)
Pre-race packet pickup:
Friday, October 6, 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM, Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA, across street from Clarendon Metro, free parking at Trader Joe's if you buy something -- includes late registration
Race-day packet pickup: Saturday, October 7, 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM -- on-site at the picnic tables at Fletcher's Cove
You may pick up someone else's bib number and packet if you bring along a signed note or a printed e-mail message from your friend
If you want to change your start time or distance, you MUST inform the registrar when you pick up your bib number on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday
We will also have a change chart on the timing table at the start / finish line. No, you can't run a 1:50 marathon. We'll know it's a half marathon. ;-)

Pre-Race Dinner

Join us for pre-race dinner to continue a conversation that may change the world
Friday, October 6, 6:30 PM, at Bronx Pizza Restaurant, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard #5, Arlington VA (703-812-0833), next door to Pacers
Dinner tickets are $10 for all you can eat ($15 after October 1)
Please register for the dinner by October 3 at 5 PM

Host Hotel

Start Date: September 29, 2022
End Date: Monday, October 3, 2022
Last Day to Book: September 2, 2022
Host hotel: Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport, 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington VA 22202-3526 (703-413-5500) $169.00 per night
Reserve your room on-line
Or call 703-413-5500 and ask for group "SHF Marathon Oct2022"

Race-day off-site parking options

You may park near the host hotel and take our Red Top Cab to the start, no searrching for parking on race day!

Each cab takes four passengers | First cab arrives 6:55 AM and departs as soon as it has four passengers | Cabs continue until last cab departs at 7:15 AM (don't miss it)
For ground transportation from the airport or anywhere else in Arlington, you may call Red Top Cab directly at 703-522-3333
You may park anywhere along Reservoir Road between Canal Road and Macarthur Boulevard, including River School, Bending Lane, W Street, and Hutchins Lane, then walk downhill to Fletcher's Cove | Be careful crossing Canal Road

Race-Day Events

7:45 AM -- The National Anthem, performed by
SSG Martin Gold, clarinetist
7:55 AM -- Official welcome
8:00 AM -- Marathon start
8:45 AM -- National Anthem
8:55 AM -- Official welcome
9:00 AM -- Half Marathon start
Aid stations with water, Gatorade, and friendly faces at
• The start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove - Miles 0.0, 13.1, and 26.2 (permanent and portable toilets at Fletcher's Cove) Marathon Charity Cooperation | (portable toilet across C&O Canal) and
• Lock 7 - Miles 4, 9, 17, 22 -- served by Buy A Brick Foundation www.TeamAfrica.com (portable toilet across C&O Canal)
• Lock 10 - Miles 6, 7, 19, 20 -- served by DC Capital Striders
Spectator access
The HALF MARATHON course is out'n'back ONCE
The FULL MARATHON course is out'n'back TWICE
Watch the race and volunteer at these points:
- • Chain Bridge - Mile 1, 12, 14, 25 | Map
- • Lock 5 - Mile 2, 11, 15, 24 | Map
- • Lock 6 - Mile 2.5, 10.5, 15.5, 23.5 | Map
- • Lock 7 - Mile 4, 9, 17, 22 | Map
- • Lock 8 - Mile 5, 8, 18, 21 | Map
- • Lock 9 - Mile 5.5, 7.5, 18.5, 20.5 | Map
- • Lock 10 - Mile 6, 7, 19, 20 | Map
- • Turnaround point - Miles 6.6 and 19.7 at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
- Staffed by Buy A Brick Foundation

Headphones and water belts

Re personal listening devices, we follow USATF rule 144.3.b (Assistance to Athletes):

The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices.

Because we must be able to communicate instructions to you at certain points in our races, we specifically allow wearing headphones during the race, but we specifically prohibit wearing headphones at these points:
Start line
Aid stations
Turnaround 1
Midpoint
Turnaround 2
Finish line
Since we offer prize money ($250, $150, $100 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd M/F), we ask you to follow this rule: if you expect to finish in the money, please don't wear headphones.
Because of the specificity of Rule 144.3.b, we must disqualify potential money-winners whom we see wearing headphones or other two-way devices such as cell phones and talking wristbands
Sorry about that
You may carry water or wear a hydration vest, but won't it slow you down?
We have aid stations with water and Gatorade roughly every two miles
Post-race

Refreshments courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts,
Trader Joe's of Arlington
Medals by Dan Kain Trophies, presentation of awards
Certificates of completion by e-mail upon request

Past Results

October 2, 2021, marathon & half | We had 14 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
October 5, 2019, marathon & half | We had 9 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
September 29, 2018, marathon & half | We had 8 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
October 28, 2017, marathon & half | We had 16 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
November 20, 2016, marathon & half | We had 19 Boston Marathon qualifiers | 9:00 AM marathon awards
November 19, 2016, half marathon | 10:00 AM half marathon awards
Special Photo Page - Wilson vs. Petersen
November 15, 2015, marathon & half | We had 14 Boston Marathon qualifiers | 9:00 AM marathon awards
November 14, 2015, half marathon | 10:00 AM half marathon awards
On September 12, 2015, we had 19 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On May 3, 2015, we had 12 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On November 16, 2014, we had 36 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On September 13, 2014, we had 27 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On May 4, 2014, we had 2015 11 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On November 17, 2013, we had 22 2015 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On May 5, 2013, we had 71 2014 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On November 18, 2012, we had 16 2014 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On May 6, 2012, we had 29 2013 Boston Marathon qualifiers
On May 1, 2011, we had 27 2012 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Participants' comments
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Past years' charitable support and website

Press Room

Read about Scott Lasch's attempt to break the Guinness World Record for running a marathon pushing a triplet baby stroller on his his Facebook page "I'm fundraising to help kids! Fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital by Scott Lasch"
See adorable photo -- "Mama took two so Milo was replaced with an easygoing kettle bell" alt="Mama took two so Milo was replaced with an easygoing kettle bell"
·
SHF was delighted to donate $100 to Jill's house in 2014, in gratitude for James Scarborough's extensive service to SHF and to the whole running community. James Scarborough wrote: "Jill's House is an organization which serves disabled children and their families, located on the campus of McLean Bible Church. I am running Marine Corps Marathon on the Jill's House team. I thank SHF for contributing to this worthy cause on my behalf."
Read Katie St. Pierre's story
Jess Kurti wrote: "Although I'm one of those crazy Maniacs/50-Staters, my other goal is to volunteer at least one shift at every food bank in the Feeding America network (over 200 throughout the USA). I've already completed a race in Maryland (JFK 50), but I was so very beat-up afterwards, I missed the opportunity to volunteer. So, I'm looking for a shot at redemption! I would be more than happy to make a donation to the Maryland Food Bank in Mr. Shulman's honor (or to The Buy a Brick Foundation, of both!). Really, the running is secondary to service, but I prefer to volunteer in conjunction with marathoning."
Elaine Kolvoord wrote: "I have 6 children, all runners. The youngest, 7, says she was born to run and wants to run in the Olympics. She has a Facebook page: Big Mak Runs For Riley. She has won every cross country meet this year, has been overall female in a 5K, set the single age world record in the 10K, and was given the single age world record in the half in May, but her record was removed when documents showing another 7-year-old went faster in 1982. She wants to recapture that record. She has run 3 half marathons this year, the last was 1:45:11. She has been training to run a 1:40:00 and looks forward to running your race in November."
Jaime Horn, 35, of Washington DC, writes: "I am running Potomac River Run Marathon to raise money for my best friend's foundation who was killed in Iraq in 2007 while working for a democracy-building organization. The Andi Foundation (www.theandifoundation.org) offers financial assistance to young women who wish to work in the fields of politics, communications, and humanitarian work."
April 6, 2010 -- Potomac River Run Marathon Calls Itself “The Easiest Marathon in America” -- in Washington Running Report
April 2, 2010 -- Press Release | DOC | PDF
Terri Lynne Willis's 2007 pre-PRR Marathon blog | Her 2007 Marine Corps Marathon blog | in News from the Emory Transplant Center

Sponsors:
Questions?
- Join us as a sponsor!
- Write us or call 703-927-4833